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Arizona passes lane filtering law



Split lane filter lane
Kevin Wing’s photo

Lane filtering, also known as lane separation, where motorcycles share lanes with cars and trucks to reduce traffic congestion, is a common practice around the world. Two studies in 2014 have shown that this practice is safe.

In the US, only California allows the practice for many years, although it does not legally sanctioned until 2016. In 2018, Utah became the second state to legally recognize lane filtering and Montana passed a similar law in 2021. Arizona is now the fourth state to allow lane filtering.

The following is the press release issued by American Motorcycle Riders Association:

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Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed a bill legalizing lane filtering after the bill passed both the Senate and House with strong bipartisan support. The law now places the state in the corporate role of California, Utah and Montana.

The passage of Senate Bill 1273, sponsored by Senator Tyler Pace (R-Mesa District 23) and championed by ABATE of Arizona, allows drivers to slow down between lanes at speeds no faster than 15 miles/ hours if other vehicles are stopped. Modeled after Utah law, this method can only be performed on roads with speeds of 45 mph or less. It does not allow riders to get above the shoulder or over the divider.

“This law has been four years in the making,” said Michael Infanzon, the legislative director of ABATE for Arizona. “But we had a really great sponsor of this year’s bill with Senator Pace. He is an active motorcyclist and it is important to have someone who understands the dangers of being hit in the back. This is all about safety and is nothing more than part of a plan to reduce motor vehicle deaths in Arizona. ”

With the law set to go into effect 90 days after the adjournment, possibly mid-September, ABATE of Arizona and the Arizona Safety and Motorcycle Awareness Foundation will work with the Governor’s Office for Safety Highways and the Department of Public Safety to educate drivers and the public about the new law.

“After the legislation was sent to the Governor’s desk, we began working with the government to promote PSA and TV spots,” Infanzon said.

According to the most recent data from the Arizona Department of Transportation, 30% of all motorcycle crashes in 2020, including 11 out of 106 fatal motorcycle crashes, are due to rear-end collisions.

“Arizona’s ABATE performed strongly to get this legislation signed,” said Nicholas Haris, Representative of the American Motorcyclists Association (AMA) Western States. “It is a welcome sight to see so many states adopting general safety laws to protect motorcyclists when they are most vulnerable to crashes. The AMA is committed to working with riders across the country in an effort to pass similar legislation and educate the public about its benefits. ”

Meanwhile, Utah has extended the authorization for motorists to filter lanes for another five years to allow state officials to review the practice and collect data on its safety benefits. With the introduction of HB 10 on March 22, the state is asserting that its initial experience has been a success worth continuing.

“With the signing of HB 10, the Utahans have recognized the benefits of lane filtering,” which allows motorcyclists to be selective, said Tiffany Cipoletti, AMA’s director of government relations on highways. when it’s safe. ”

Utah legalized lane filtering in 2018 with an original bill and now an extension sponsored by State Representative Walt Brooks (R-St. George District 75).

“I am pleased to have the support of the Department of Public Safety and the Legislature to extend lane filtering for another five years,” said Representative Brooks. “The initial sunset of three years, and COVID treatment, did not provide the data needed to eliminate the sunset. I am confident that when drivers use lane filtering properly within the next 5 years, the public will get used to this method and the data will prove it is a good policy for Utah and will be for a long time. long. ”

Representative Brooks is a strong supporter of the practice as a motorcyclist, and has supported efforts in other states like Arizona to legalize the practice. The AMA is grateful to Representative Brooks for his support of motorcyclists and safe lane filtering practices.

“We are lucky to have motorcyclists in elected office like Representative Brooks and Senator Pace,” said AMA Director of Government Relations Michael Sayre. “Brooks’ firsthand experience as a driver and working with law enforcement assistance in Utah is critical and has helped lay the groundwork for success in the states. other.”

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The AMA endorses lane separation, building on its long-term success in California and University of California-Berkeley research showing that it enhances motorcycle safety. The AMA will assist groups and individuals working to bring legal separation and/or lane filtering to their status.

“As lane assist continues to gain national traction,” said AMA Cipoletti, “we are eager to help more motorcyclists engage with state legislatures on this issue,” said Cipoletti of the AMA. . ”

Currently, the AMA is also actively participating in support of the Oklahoma lane filtering bill (HB 2667).



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